Suspect ID'd For Explosive Tossed Under Deputy's Car

GUERNEVILLE, CA – The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office today identified a local suspect arrested in connection with an explosive device reportedly rolled under a deputy's patrol vehicle Friday in a Guerneville Safeway parking lot, authorities said.

Tristan Proto, 22 of Santa Rosa, was arrested for allegedly using an explosive with intent to injure charge, coupled with a probation violation, after a Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy, who went into the supermarket on his lunch break, heard "a large explosion" that rattled the store's windows, the agency said.

When the deputy ran outside, he saw a suspect running north through the parking lot being chased by an off-duty law enforcement officer, later determined to be from the Vallejo Police Department.

The off-duty officer tackled the suspect and, with the deputy's assistance, detained the man, later identified as Proto, officials said.

Investigators said Proto was staying for a few days with friend Alexandra Bodrov, 22, of Forestville, "and they both had ingested methamphetamine earlier in the morning," deputies said.

The pair visited downtown Guerneville, and Proto had "what he described as a M-80-type firework with him," officials said.

"Proto and Bodrov got into a verbal dispute, and they had separated briefly," according to authorities. "Proto decided to light the firework and throw it under the vacant patrol car, because he doesn’t like the sheriff’s office."

Search warrants served on Proto’s home and vehicle found no other explosives, the office said, noting that detectives do not believe Proto was the suspect who left a pipe bomb under the Monte Rio Bridge on July 7.

In addition to the explosive charge, Proto also was arrested on three misdemeanor counts of suspected probation for drugs and resisting-arrest charges.He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail and is being held on $78,000 bail.

Meanwhile, Bodrov was arrested for being under the suspected influence of narcotics and booked into the Sonoma County Jail, later released after posting $1,000 bail, officials said.

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--Image via Sonoma County Sheriff